Larger Wheelchairs and Scooters pose transportation problems

Jennifer L. Dorn, Administrator of the Federal Transit Administration, stated that manufacturers of mobility devices "seem to be unaware" of the existence of the standard for a "common wheelchair" that is written into regulations under the Americans With Disabilities Act. She blames mobility device manufacturers, not bus manufacturers, for mobility devices becoming too big to maneuver on new transit buses. This lack of awareness of the standard, she suggests, also extends to "clinicians, health care professionals, durable medical equipment dealers, and consumers."

The standard, she says, ensures "the consistent accessibility and usability" of their transit fleet by requiring that buses be built to accommodate devices up to this size. The maximum dimensions for a "common wheelchair" under the standard are 30 by 48 inches.

"I would recommend," Dorn said, "that transit operators and federal, state, and local government officials work with local disability community, clinicians, health care professionals, durable medical equipment dealers, and others who prescribe, specify, or use mobility aids to ensure that all are aware of the existence, and importance, of this standard.

Transportation systems are experiencing similar problems with mobility scooters fitting into their buses. Each year the scooter industry is developing bigger and heavier scooters that exceed the aisle widths and seat lengths of public buses. In addition, the combined weights of the passenger and scooter are exceeding the capacity of the bus lifts.

The increased use of mobility scooters will require some coordination between the bus manufactures and the scooter industry and an updating of ADA guidelines for bus manufacturers to take into account the changes in devices used by the disabled community.


From: "Transit Access Report" (Aug. 2002)